Creative judging or headline hunting?

It’s hard to wipe away the skepticism when you read about judges using unusual tactics that get headlines. Along with the publicity, the stunts may get results, but that’s harder to determine and takes time.

A story in Tuesday’s Express-News detailed newly elected Justice of the Peace Steve Walker’s decision to order students who have been skipping school to reduce their community service requirement by getting a library card.

The move was perfectly timed with the San Antonio Library’s push to reach a goal of one million residents with library cards. Great. Walker got publicity for himself and the library card campaign.

Forcing wayward students into the library can’t be bad. But will Walker still be doing it six months or a year from now? Will the move improve class attendance?